silver + 5-fluorouracil

Silver + 5-fluorouracil (Ag-5fu) is a preclinical-stage metallodrug consisting of a silver(I) coordination complex with the pyrimidine analog and antineoplastic agent 5-fluorouracil. Developed by researchers at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and collaborating Brazilian institutions, Ag-5fu is designed to overcome multidrug resistance in cancer cells. In vitro studies have demonstrated that the complex exhibits superior antiproliferative activity compared to free 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin against multidrug-resistant ovarian (NCI/ADR-RES) and colon (HT29) cancer cell lines. Ag-5fu induces G1 cell cycle arrest, inhibits colony formation, and triggers regulated cell death via mitochondrial membrane depolarization and multicaspase activation (intrinsic apoptosis). Additionally, the complex exhibits antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacterial strains. Recent developmental efforts have explored combining Ag-5fu with monoterpene-derived permeation enhancers, such as carvone, to improve transdermal delivery and enhance topical efficacy for the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).

Other names

silver(I)-5-fluorouracil complexsilver-5-fluorouracilsilver5-fluorouracilsilver 5-fluorouracilsilver-5-fluorouracil complexsilver5-fluorouracil complexsilver 5-fluorouracil complex